Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has launched a series of road networks and strategic development projects aimed at reducing travel time and distance between Dubai’s various areas and emirates.
The projects were completed at a cost of AED1.95 billion and were overseen by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The projects are part of important development initiatives carried out by a committee acting on the President’s orders to ensure the greatest possible standard of living for UAE citizens. The new initiatives are expected to boost commercial expansion and encourage domestic tourism, in addition to improving transportation efficiency.
H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; and other authorities attended the opening ceremony.
On the occasion of the inauguration, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, “Under the leadership of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed and the follow up of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, as well as the concerted efforts of federal and local authorities, the UAE continues to implement strategic initiatives that support the country’s aspirations for the next 50 years and boost the competitiveness of its vital sectors. The UAE’s infrastructure projects are designed to provide an environment where both individuals and institutions can achieve their fullest potential.”
He also stated that they are constantly looking for new strategic projects that can generate economic value by better integrating the country’s various regions, increasing productivity, and opening up new investment opportunities, all of which can lead to new opportunities for the country’s people and institutions.
“The UAE remains committed to providing the public and private sectors with the resources needed to accelerate growth and innovation. Our infrastructure initiatives aim to strengthen the country’s status as a global model for sustainable development and provide its people with a quality of life that rivals the world’s best,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid added.
The crucial infrastructure projects, according to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, are part of a series of economic development measures carried out on the directives of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, with the cooperation of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
“The UAE leadership considers infrastructure development as one of its highest priorities since it is key to opening new horizons for economic growth and development. The country aims to create infrastructure that is among the world’s best and our strategic projects are designed to further enhance the UAE’s high global ranking in economic, social and quality of life indicators,” Sheikh Mansour added.
The road projects inaugurated today include a network of tracks, roads, intersections, and bridges in three main axes with a total gross road length of 112 kilometers. The first axis, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road, is a brand-new route that connects the Emirate of Fujairah to the Sheikh Khalifa Road (E84). This axis runs from the intersection of Sheikh Khalifa Road and Sharjah-Kalba Road (E102) in the Emirate of Sharjah, via the Mleiha and Al Madam areas of Sharjah, and terminates in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s Al Shuwaib neighborhood. The 52-kilometer highway has three lanes in each direction and is designed to go at a speed of 140 km/h.
The second axis is Al-Watan Road, which serves as a direct link between various regions, with three lanes in each direction and a design speed of 120 km/h. It is 42 kilometers long and has three lanes in each direction. This axis runs from the Hatta area to the Mleiha area in the Emirate of Sharjah, passing via the Masfout area in the Emirate of Ajman, the Almunaee area, and the mountains of Wadi Al Qor in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
The project’s third axis is the Dubai-Hatta Road, which entails expanding and improving the current Dubai-Hatta Road between Nizwa and Al Madam in the Emirate of Sharjah, with three lanes in each direction instead of two, and a top speed of 120 km/h. This lane is 18 kilometers long.
The road includes the building of two bridges over the Madam roundabout and an upper crossing for vehicles in the Madam area. The improvement of the current lower crossing going to the Al Nizwa area, as well as the installation of four pedestrian bridges in the Madam area, are all part of the project. The goal of the project is to improve traffic safety and vehicle movement on the road.
The new road improvements, which were overseen by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs in collaboration with the Ministries of Energy and Infrastructure and Etihad Water and Electricity, will reduce travel distance and time between locations. The second axis, together with a portion of the first axis, will reduce the distance between Al Madam roundabout and the Hatta area from 115 kilometers to 95 kilometers, cutting travel time in half.
Furthermore, the first axis will contribute to lowering the distance between Al Shiwayb and the Emirate of Fujairah from 115 km to 93 km, resulting in a 15-minute reduction in travel time.
